I am a sucker for all those as seen on tv products so when I saw the "Eggies" for sale at the dollar store I knew I needed to try it out. I had seen it on commercials and thought it was an amazing product. We love hard boiled eggs at our house but, I don't like peeling the eggs because I always have trouble getting the shells off. I don't know if the eggs are too fresh or if I over cook them or if I didn't put them in cold enough water after boiling. I never know what I do wrong but, I always struggle with the shells. So, this Eggies product seem to be my solution.

So, after you open the package there are 4 parts to put together before you put the egg in, which is a pain. After the parts are all put together you have to coat the inside with cooking spray. You can't just spray it in there though, you have to spray it on a paper towel and wipe each one of them. So, that is a big pain as well. Then you crack the eggs and really carefully put it in this little hole on the top. Which is pretty difficult so it might be easier to put it in a small ramekin and then transfer it into the small hole.
After that you put the eggs in water and bring it to a boil and simmer for 14-17 minutes. After they boil you then take them out and let them cool, either on the counter or in the refrigerator.

After they cool you can open up all the pieces and pop out the ready to eat egg. This is a picture of what it looks like. So, as you can see it has a really weird shape.

They were edible and tasted just like hard boiled eggs, but to be honest I found the whole system to be way too much work for eggs.

I wasn't looking forward to washing all the parts and kind of figured I wouldn't use them again, so in the garbage they went. It was worth the $1 to try it out but, if you are serious about buying one I wound't suggest it. Way too much work.

Ah... Left overs. What to do with them. I'll be honest and admit that we don't usually eat them. The idea of reheating something sounds easy but it's not usually appetizing.

Well last night I made way too much ground turkey for tacos and felt guilty throwing it all away so I wanted to come up with away to use the meat but I didn't want tacos again.

Since I love all things mcdinalds and eat there southwest salad at least once a week, this was my inspiration.

I chopped up some romaine, tomatoes and grated some cheddar and pepper jack cheese.

I reheated the meat and added a can of black beans. Then I warmed up some frozen corn.

I pilled it all on a plate and made it look pretty. Then I put some sour cream and taco sauce over the whole salad. Then to make it extra special, I cut strips of corn tortillas, fried them and put them on top.

Mike loved it. So much so that he suggested I take a picture for my blog. Yum yum. It was great!

It's been 1 month since our little man Jack arrived. I am starting to see my post baby body coming back. I know it is going to be a work in progress but, I am happy to see some results. I am still wearing the squeem. I am only wearing it 6 hours a day though. The recommendations say to wear it 8-10 hours but, it isn't super comfortable when I am nursing so I am just doing the best I can with it.
I am also excited to be close to being able to work out again. I don't know how I am going to fit it in with 2 little ones now but, I will just have to make it a priority.
I have been trying to eat clean and cut out sweets but, I am hungry all the time so I tend to grab easy to eat things. Jack likes to be held so I eat a lot of times with one hand. Sandwiches and smoothies have been my go to items lately.

I love breakfast foods and am starving when I first wake up. So, I am always on the hunt for easy quick foods so I can get them into my tummy as soon as possible. I love pancakes and this recipe has been tried and tested to be my absolute favorite. Best part is that they can be frozen and popped in the oven for a few minutes and taste just as good as the day they were originally made.

I should mention that I don't usually buy buttermilk. I just make my own. It is really easy. Just take 1 cup of milk and add 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Stir and let it sit a few minutes and it is ready to go.

Heat a griddle or a pan to 375 degrees. Whisk all the dry ingredients together and then add the wet ingredients. The batter should have small lumps in it when it is all combined.

Ladle on about 1/4 cup of the batter and leave an inch or so between the pancakes. When they have bubbles on the top and are a little dry around the edges they are ready to be flipped.

Serve warm or prepare them to be frozen.
To freeze them, I put them on a big plate or a cookie sheet and let them cool. Then I put them into the freezer just like that. When they are slightly frozen I put them into a freezer bag.

When I am ready to eat them, I just take a few out and put them into a 350 degree oven for 5 minutes or so.

3 weeks postpartum today and I am not too unhappy with my progress. I am down 24 pounds since birth. I haven't started to work out or anything yet so all my weight loss is probably water weight but, my stomach muscles are coming back together too.
I am wearing the Squeem for most of the day and take it off to sleep or when I start to get too uncomfortable during the day. It is hard to sit with it on.
This week I am going to concentrate on eating a bit more healthy and possibly counting calories. I am still nursing so I am hungry all the time and need to eat more calories.
I am so excited to get back to working out. Hopefully healing speeds up and I can get back to a routine.

This weeks menu is going to be an easy one to plan. I am the facilitator at my moms group through church and whenever someone has a baby, the group brings meals over.

I am so thankful to have meals being brought 3 days this week. It is so nice to not have to cook or worry about what I am going to make. Especially with an active 2 year old and an infant who has decided he needs to eat every hour.

So, this week I only have to prepare something 2 days.

Tuesday: Chicken smothered with Bacon and Cheese, side of green beans and salad

Thursday: Turkey Meatballs with spaghetti, salad, and a vegetable side

I also am planning on making homemade pancakes and waffles to freeze for easy go to breakfasts. I have a great recipe for buttermilk pancakes that freeze really well. I will post that this week.

I went yesterday to a bridal shop to get fitted for a Squeem. From the reviews I had read online they seemed to be the best at bringing your stomach muscles back together the quickest and helping flatten your tummy area postpartum.
From the measurements online, I thought I would need a small but, when I went to the shop the lady said I needed a medium. Against my better judgement, I listened to her and spent the $60 for a medium nude colored, Squeem waist cincher.
I was so excited to get it on when I got home. It said it is supposed to take off 4 inches around the waist. Well, the medium was tight but, I could easily get it on. It is actually a little loose around my rib area. I think this size will be fine, but I am sure in a few weeks I will need a small. When I feel like this one isn't working as well anymore I will re asses my want to get a small one.
So for my initial thoughts. I think it feels good having it on. My mid section does look pulled in and my posture is much better with it on.
I have also read that wearing it while working out will make you sweat and loose inches quicker too. I am not sure how comfortable this will be while working out so I am not sure if I will try it. I am still a few weeks from actually doing a real work out.
I plan on wearing it for a few weeks and then I will update with how well it is working.

As you know, I am always looking for healthier, home made recipes to replace some of my favorite processed pre packaged foods that we all love so much. Well, one of our family favorites are nutri grain bars. I have found a somewhat healthier version from Trader Joe's. My daughter loves those and will eat them every day. Although they are a bit better I really wanted to find something with fewer ingredients and that I could make at home.
I think I found the solution. Thank you Pioneer woman for this amazing recipe.
I took a picture of the finished product below, but it was a day after I made them and as you can see, they were eaten up pretty fast.
I make the actual recipe and cut it in half. Next time I am going to try it with different jam and possibly even add peanut butter. YUM.

DirectionsPreheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-by-13-inch rectangular pan.Mix together the butter, flour, oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Press half the oat mixture into the prepared pan. Spread with the strawberry preserves. Sprinkle the other half of the oat mixture over the top and pat lightly. Bake until light brown, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely, and then cut into squares.

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Welcome!

I'm a wife to Mike and a mom to a sweet little girl named Evelyn and a smart little boy named Jack. We love to cook and travel. From Michigan to Minnesota and now to Upstate New York there are always new adventures just around the corner.